"They must have loved the Feast of the Dedication," said Miriam. "Why, Miriam?" "On account of the many candles. It is so pleasant to watch a great number of them burning at once." "Yes, children always love lights and brightness. The first evening of the feast, a candle was lighted for each one in the house. The second evening, two were lighted, and so on to the eighth night." "But the Feast of Esther brings more sport," said Solomon. "You are just like every other boy, Solomon. You like noise and fun," said his father. "But, think a moment, children. Must not the Feast of the Passover have been the greatest one of all?" "It was then that the father repeated the whole history of the Children of Israel to his listening children. They loved to hear it. It seemed to them as though they were really following the Chosen People in their wanderings. They looked upon Moses receiving the commandments from Heaven. As they shut their eyes, they saw in their minds the waters of the Red Sea parting to let the Children of Israel pass across in safety. Then, again coming together, the waves closed over their enemies and destroyed them." "Father, you tell us the stories as well as any one possibly could," said Solomon. "I do my best, Solomon. But in the olden days the children were brought nearer to heaven by their visits to the temple. "Think of that glorious building and its walls shining with gold! It seems as though I could see the throng of white-robed priests and hear the blasts they sounded on their silver trumpets. "Listen! A chant from the Psalms rings through the great building. It sounds like heavenly voices." Esther's father closed his eyes and became silent. The children were filled with awe as they sat quietly beside him. "I wish I could have lived in the long ago," thought Esther. "The temple must have seemed like a part of heaven brought to earth." "Now we will repeat the night prayer and go to rest," said the father. CHAPTER VI. QUEER SIGHTS "WOULD you like to go shopping with me?" said Esther's mother, the next afternoon. "I must buy some things you children will need to carry with you on your visit." Esther and Miriam jumped up from their play. They were always ready to go shopping. They liked to see the pretty things in the shops. Esther's mother had made herself ready for her walk by fastening a bright red shawl over her head. She never wore a hat or a bonnet, as do her American sisters. "We will go to the market first," she told the children. "I wish to buy some fruit." It was quite a long walk, but there was so much to see on the way, Esther and Miriam did not think of that. "Do see that drove of donkeys," exclaimed their mother, after they had entered one of the principal streets. "They are laden with goatskins filled with water, I suppose. Listen, children! Their Arab driver is calling to them." "O-ar! o-ar! derak! derak!" sounded the driver's voice. A small boy running down a byway mimicked the Arab.